SAPTA (Support for Addictions Prevention and Treatment in Africa, Nairobi, Kenya)

in Collaboration with

African Nazarene University (Nairobi, Kenya)

ABOUT SUPPORT FOR ADDICTIONS PREVENTION AND TREATMENT IN AFRICA (SAPTA)

SAPTA College was founded with the key objective of promoting professionalism in the addiction field by providing educational programs for addiction counselors, capacity building for treatment centers and running evidence based substance used disorder treatment and  prevention programs.   SAPTA is an acronym for support for addictions preventions prevention and treatments in Africa. It is registered by the Kenyan Ministry of Education under Technical & Vocational Education and Training Authority (TIVETA) a tertiary institution to offer courses in chemical dependency of Addiction Counselling. SAPTA is one of the education providers for the Colombo Plan under the Drug Advisory Program (DAP) a Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) under its global initiative to train, expand and professionalize the drug demand reduction service. SAPTA has graduated over 400 students with Diploma in Addiction Counseling, mostly Kenyans with other countries represented including, Ethiopia, Somalia, Malawi, Uganda, Ghana, Tanzania and South Sudan.  SAPTA is the largest academic addiction counseling program in Africa.  SAPTA’s philosophy of addiction counseling education is based on an evidence based and integrated substance use and mental disorders approach that is trauma-informed.  SAPTA has extensive clinical experience working in Nairobi with a harm reduction approach to 3,500 people who inject drugs (heroin) as well as outpatient SUD and Mental Disorders counseling.

ABOUT AFRICA NAZARENE UNIVERSITY (ANU)

ANU is a private Christian university and an institution of the International Church of Nazarene, whose mission and vision follow the Wesleyan-Holiness tradition. The Church of the Nazarene sought to address the challenges witnessed in African society in the early 1980s through an institution of higher education. Due to the Kenya University’s Act of 1985 – provision for establishment of private universities in Kenya – the Church settled on Kenya as a viable location. On 8 October, 2002, the Kenyan government granted the University its Charter (Accreditation Credentials). ANU was the first private university to receive this credential under the University Act without being affiliated with any other university locally or abroad. The Charter was a great milestone indicating the University’s maturity in its management and academic standards. Starting off with three programs, the university now celebrates offering 36 programmes cutting across several disciplines. Our footprint has grown from one campus to two campuses that offer face-to-face learning together with a distance learning platform that increase our reach and accessibility across Africa and beyond.

SAPTA-ANU MOU TO OFFER DIPLOMA IN ADDICTION COUNSELING AND TREATMENT

On 26^th March 2019, ANU and SAPTA signed and MOU to offer Diploma in addiction counselling and treatment using the ANU E-Naz plat form which is a platform for distance learning. The guiding principles of the MOU are among others to establish a mutually beneficial partnership between SAPTA and ANU that allows a flexible and creative response to the organizational, missions, and fiscal needs of both institutions. And collaboration in planning, implementation, and continuous improvement of SAPTA and ANU’s addiction related courses/ programs namely, the certificate and diploma courses in addiction counseling including the provision for faculty, staff, and administration, and curriculum development

DIPLOMA IN ADDICTION COUNSELING AND TREATMENT

The Diploma in Addiction Counseling course aimed at developing professional competencies in dealing with clients in recovery or clients with substance use disorders. The course is ideal for counselors and practitioners working  in treatment and rehabilitation centers, probation officers working in the criminal justice system, social workers, medical& health  practitioners, VCT counselors ,peer educator, teachers, spiritual leaders, general counselors, graduate Psychologists seeking to specialize in addiction counseling and anyone with an interest in learning more about addiction disorders and their management.

DISTANCE LEARNING

Distance Learning platform provides flexible study wherever you are. It is designed to accommodate individuals with career aspirations but have hectic schedules which cannot fit in the traditional modes of study.

Under distance learning;

• All online teaching and learning take place in an online environment. The students can log in at any time at their convenience. Once online the students are able to communicate with their instructors and fellow students, read assigned texts, access digital materials, post assignments and participate in discussion forums us directed by the Instructor.
• All online experience takes place on an advanced learning management system designed to facilitate the optimal learning experience for students. Similar to the campus classroom, the online experience includes extensive participation and interaction with faculty and students.
• Once a distance learner has completed his/her degree, he will be eligible to participate in the graduation ceremony organized by both SAPTA and ANU at Africa Nazarene University graduation grounds.
• The diploma you earn will hold the same value, acceptance and credibility as any equivalent diploma earned in a traditional campus environment.
• Courses sequence begin at the beginning of every trimester in January, May and September.

The e-Naz platform

The e-Naz virtual learning environment is modeled around a web-based learning management system, electronic community and administrative sites for students and faculty. Besides hosting learning and teaching activities, the e-Naz facilitates interaction and collaboration between and among students, academic, administrative and technical staff.

The 24/7 accessibility to our virtual learning environment, e-Naz makes scheduling easy and allows a greater number of students from all over the world to attend classes online at their convenience. The ANU IODL E-Naz platform is hosted in Kansas City, USA with an uptime of 96%.

Benefits of Distance Learning at Africa Nazarene University, IODL

• Learning is self-placed and gives students a chance to speed up or slow down as desired.
• Overall student’s costs are reduced as the distance learner does not have to pay for food, residence and transport.
• Through the distance learning program the students’ computer and internet skill are enhanced.
• Our didactical and pedagogical principles are solid and are grounded on sound educational theories.
• Our courses are accessible on the student’s schedule 24/7 on e-Naz Platform.
• Learning through our DL programs is self-placed.
• Our students are unbound by place. They can study at home, at work or on the road.
• Our rich e-resources repositories enables students to read materials online or download them for reading later.
• Our chosen technological tools on our virtual learning environment make collaboration among students much easier. Collaborative learning on our VLE makes learning easier and interesting as our learners are connected virtually.
• We emphasize the use of open educational resources which puts the global learning opportunities at the fingertips of our learners. IODL gives the lecturers ability to build in tools that take them to resources that may never be seen in a traditional class.
• The cornerstone of our distance learning program is; “Flexibility, Convenience and collaboration.”

Units Covered

1^st trimester

Personal Development for Addiction Counselors

Pharmacology

Concepts and Principles of Addiction

Introduction to Psychology

Academic Writing

2^nd Trimester

Theories of Psychological counseling

Skills Practice for Addiction Counselors

Ethical and legal Issues in Addiction Counseling

Human Growth & Development

Introduction to Christian Beliefs

3^rd Trimester

Group Process and Facilitation

Psychopathology and Substance Use Disorders

Addiction Therapy (Counseling & Treatment)

Contextual Issues in Addiction Counseling

Psychological Testing & Assessment

4^th Trimester

Clinical Practicum

Clinical Supervision: Theory & Practice

Trauma and Crises Counseling

Introduction to Research Methods

Family Studies in Addiction Therapy

Admission procedure

An applicant seeking admission shall submit a duly filled application form from SAPTA offices, attached with copies of their certificates and testimonials with $15 non-refundable application fee. Only those who will have complied with the requirements for admission will be admitted into the program through issuance of an admission letter.

Admission Criteria

Acceptance into the diploma programme requires that an applicant meets ANU-SAPTA’s admission criteria for a diploma programme, i.e. a candidate must have scored or is in possession of:

• A minimum aggregate grade of C- in KCSE or its equivalent. Equivalent qualifications as determined by Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC) or 3 credits in IGCSE or its equivalent
• Non-Kenyan high school/secondary school equivalency of C-.
• For the Nigerian students, one should have a minimum of C6 (2points) in their Senior Secondary School qualifications
• A Diploma from a recognized institution in any  helping professions.(teaching, social work, theology, counseling, nursing or the criminal justice system)
• A university degree from a recognized institution of higher learning
• A certificate in addiction counseling or psychological counseling from a recognized institution with a minimum GPA of 2.3

Financial information

The cost for the Diploma is as follows;

• Application fee US $15
• Tuition fee        US $1,600
• Practicum fee    US  $75

*Cost for therapy sessions not included in the fees*

*Students outside Africa pay 20% extra in tuition fees*

Graduation requirements

The student will only be cleared for graduation after fulfilment of the following requirements

• Completion of all written and practical assignments
• Attended Ten (10) therapy sessions and submitted a therapy letter
• Completed a hundred (100) hours of clinical practicum and submitted a practicum report
• Completion of all financial obligations
• Payment of the stipulated graduation fee